“Bring the silence to that stadium on Saturday, Mountaineers.
I’m telling you, there’s nothing like doing that.”
Argos receiver Armanti Edwards made his debut on The Players’ Tribune on Friday, penning a letter to his alma mater entitled ‘Dear App State’.
The letter relives the Mountaineers’ legendary upset over the University of Michigan Wolverines on the 10-year anniversary of the game and provides encouragement for the current squad as they prepare for their season opener against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Edwards started at quarterback for Appalachian State in the 34-32 stunner, completing 17-of-23 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding a rushing touchdown and 62 yards on the ground.
The game, which ended with not one but two blocked field goals by the Mountaineers, has been hailed as one of college football’s all-time greatest upsets.
It was the debut of the Big Ten Network. Las Vegas bookies didn’t provide a betting line. Only one FCS school had ever beaten an FBS opponent.
But to Edwards and his teammates, the result wasn’t a surprise.
“For our team, back in the day, we were coming off two consecutive national titles. And we knew we could play with anyone — no matter who they were or how big their stadium was. We were brothers, and we worked together to form a special bond on and off the field.
Damn right we thought we could win.”
After the dust had settled, the Wolverines became the first team to ever fall out of the Top 25 in the Associated Press Poll from a Top-5 slot, and the AP was forced to amend their policy to allow FCS teams to receive votes in the poll.
Later that season, ahead of their third consecutive FCS Championship, Edwards and his teammates became the first FCS team to ever receive votes in the final AP Poll, finishing in a tie for 34th overall with South Florida.
The Argos receiver ends his letter with a key piece of advice for the current App State squad.
“Those Georgia players are human beings, the same as you. They’re not immortal. They’re not gods. They’re just college football players, like you. And like those Michigan Wolverines were a decade ago in Ann Arbor.”
You can read the full Players’ Tribune piece here and catch the Mountaineers and Dawgs on ESPN on Saturday evening at 6:15 p.m. ET.